Lansing Update publishes on Fridays when the Michigan Legislature is in session and chronicles legislative activity of interest to Michigan Catholic Conference. Join the Catholic Advocacy Network to receive Lansing Update in your inbox.
A bill signed into law this week with MCC support would remove a hurdle for the poor to receive food assistance. Plus, more than 900 messages have been sent by Catholic grassroots members urging the Governor to reject bills restricting speech for faith-based counselors.
The Michigan Catholic Conference today urged grassroots supporters to contact the Governor and urge a no vote on bills that would restrict speech for counselors. Plus, find out which MCC-supported priorities made it into the newest state budget, and more
Abuse prevention reforms that MCC has been championing for years have made it to the Governor’s desk. Plus, a flurry of legislative activity of interest to the MCC happened during the last full session week before summer break, including measures to implement payday lending transparency as well as protection of vulnerable adults. Read all about it
Several MCC-supported reforms to prevent sexual abuse are on their way to the Governor’s desk after five years of advocacy, plus MCC provided support for new legislation to make sure foster children receive adequate education. Read about those initiatives and more in
MCC makes the case for a Catholic response to gun violence in its latest edition of Focus published this week. Plus, updates on MCC advocacy action in the Legislature regarding retroactive abuse claims legislation, tougher penalties for church vandalism and more
With the Legislature away at Mackinac this week and just a few weeks left before summer break, here’s a recap on what legislation MCC has supported this session and where the bills currently stand.
The Governor signed more MCC-backed gun safety legislation, and new information is provided on two MCC-supported packages to promote restorative justice for prisoners and crime victims. Finally, a new bishop for the Diocese of Kalamazoo was named this week, who will soon join the MCC Board of Directors.
MCC this week released poll data confirming widespread Michigan voter support for longstanding abortion regulations, including among pro-choice and Proposal 3 voters. Also this week, the Governor signed an unfortunate bill creating an abortion mandate on employers. Read more about that as well as other updates on legislation MCC is tracking
MCC is calling on grassroots supporters to tell their House members to pass a bill to make immediate tax relief possible for hundreds of thousands of Michigan families. Plus, MCC offered support to a bill that would shine a light of transparency on the state’s predatory payday lending industry.
The Senate passed child sex abuse prevention bills backed by the MCC that have been five years in the making. However, the Legislature also sent the Governor the bill opposed by MCC that would create an abortion mandate on employers. Read more